Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

El Nino conditions but mild April forecast

El Nino conditions but mild April forecast

"El Nino conditions are now present in the tropical Pacific Ocean," said MetService Meteorologist Georgina Griffiths. "Cyclone Pam produced one of the strongest reversals of the tropical trade winds seen in recent years. Known as 'westerly wind bursts', these can kick-start El Nino, since they allow warmer waters to push towards South America."

Over the last few weeks, waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific (the El Nino breeding ground) have warmed, to the point that El Nino thresholds have now been crossed. The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), a measure of pressure between Darwin and Tahiti, is also now sitting in El Nino territory (-1.1). El Nino conditions are forecast to continue through the southern winter (with a 60% chance of continuing El Nino conditions).

But what does that mean for New Zealand?

"In the short-term, weather sequences, rather than El Nino, will influence New Zealand rainfall and temperature," Griffiths commented. The MetService outlook for April indicates above average temperatures right across the country.

Highs are expected for the start of April, producing generally drier and warmer conditions than usual for the first week of the month. "But for the remainder of April, lows are forecast to move into the New Zealand region, bringing unsettled, and often wet weather to the country," said Griffiths.

* Lows to dominate New Zealand's weather for much of April.

* A warmer than average April is expected across New Zealand.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

* Above normal April rainfall for the north and west of the South Island,also from Taranaki to Wellington.

* Near normal April rainfall for the north and east of the North Island,
the eastern South Island, and Southland.

For more information, the latest Rural Monthly Outlook can be found under the Rural section on metservice.com.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.